Galway, Ireland

2001 Director: Patrick McGuire, Economics

Hobart and William Smith Colleges have developed an affiliation with the National University of Ireland, Galway (formerly University College, Galway) to provide students with the opportunity to live and study with Irish students at an Irish university. The program is a combination of special courses taught for the group and regular university courses with Irish and other international students. Participants may also have the opportunity to do some field work in the local community as part of their course work.

PROGRAM DATES
August 31 - December 20, 2001

ACCOMMODATIONS
 Students on the program housed in singles or pairs in NUIG student village flats (Corrib Village). Four or five total to a flat. Fully equipped kitchens are included in the flats and local shopping is convenient. Full meals can be purchased at the university student canteen at government subsidized prices. More information will be available during orientation sessions.

EXCURSIONS
There are ample opportunities for excursions and social events within Galway (art galleries, the Gaelic Theatre, Druid Theatre) and for independent travel at the end. There will be a group visit to Northern Ireland (Ulster) over several days as the first excursion experience. Field trips to the Aran Islands, Dublin, Kerry and Cork are also planned.

ELIGIBILITY
All sophomores, juniors and seniors in good academic standing are eligible to apply. Students should submit a strong personal statement as part of their application outlining clearly why participation in the program would help to fulfill academic and personal goals.

APPROXIMATE COSTS
 Students are charged $15,182, the normal HWS tuition for the fall semester, $500 administrative fee, and the regular HWS room charge. Additional costs not charged by HWS include airfare, meals, books and incidentals. While these costs vary according to individual tastes and needs, we estimate a total of approximately $3000. Further information about costs and other details are available at the Off-Campus Programs Office and during the orientation meetings for the program.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
 Students will take four courses while on the program. Two courses will be offered as the core curriculum of the semester:

Gal 250-99 "The Irish Economic Miracle: Ireland in the 21st Century" (Patrick McGuire) The economic history of Ireland is full of accounts of exploitation and misery as well as religious strife. This course will take a look into the present where we see a very different Ireland, a country with low unemployment and a relatively high rate of growth. We will look back at some of the economic history of Ireland and explore how this "terrible beauty" survived over the centuries. What factors contributed to the transformation of the Irish economy? What implications does this transformation have on Irish culture and society and the perceptions of Irish culture, on the Irish perception of themselves, on the perception of other countries of Ireland, on the perception of the Irish of other countries, especially the United States? We will use some basic economic models of growth that can be used to understand many of the market forces that come into play in the economic transition or transformation that has taken place in the Irish economy over the past 25 years. Students will develop their own data on the issue of the impact of the changes in the economy on Ireland and its people by talking with a variety of individuals of different ages and experiences.

Gal 210-99 "Contemporary Irish Culture and Society" (Louis de Paor, Local Adjunct Faculty from the National University of Ireland, Galway) A survey of contemporary Irish culture and society with a schedule of guest speakers from NUIG and the community. Details will be provided during orientation and registration.

Two additional courses: taken as electives from the regular NUIG curriculum with Irish students: courses in language, geography, economics, sociology, literature, history, political science or other subjects can be selected. Details to be arranged during orientation and registration. Students can also consult the NUIG web site for more course information: www.mis.nuigalway.ie.